Restaurant Week fundraiser benefits Portland United Way

PORTLAND, Maine — The $6,000 raised through two Maine Restaurant Week (MRW) events has been donated to United Way of Greater Portland (UWGP).

A percentage of every ticket sold to the Signature Event at Prime Mercedes on March 10, and 100 percent of proceeds from the Incredible Breakfast Kickoff event at Sea Dog Brewing Co. on March 1, together generated $6,000. This money will be combined with investments from the more than 17,000 people in Greater Portland who support United Way, and strategically invested in research-based programs and partnerships that improve lives and strengthen the community, such as the Cumberland County Food Security Council and Westbrook Children’s Project.

“We are so thrilled and honored to be this year’s recipient of funds from Maine Restaurant Week,” said Suzanne McCormick, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Portland. ”It’s amazing to know that our restaurant-loving community is also directly supporting programs that help improve people’s lives. Ensuring that people have access to adequate food and nutrition creates opportunities for a better life for all, and we are grateful to MRW’s partners and sponsors for making these fundraising events possible.”

“Fundraising has always been a central part of what we want to accomplish with Maine Restaurant Week, and United Way’s programs that address food insecurity and heating assistance really resonated with us,” said Jim Britt of gBritt PR. “Winter can be a tough time here in Maine, and MRW and our sponsoring partners are happy to do what we can to help improve people’s lives.”

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Maine Restaurant Week celebrates the ingenuity and innovation of independent, locally-owned restaurants. It gives restaurants a much-needed boost during winter, when business often slows. The economic impact is also felt by industry suppliers who deliver goods and services to Maine’s vital restaurant industry. Also through annual fundraising, local non-profit organizations benefit.

United Way of Greater Portland has been working to improve people’s lives by mobilizing the caring power of its communities for more than 80 years. For more information, visit unitedwaygp.org.